VW’s Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 World Rally Championship

By Ollie Kew Motor Industry 04 October 2013 11:00 The World Rally Championship has its first new champion in nearly a decade – and wouldn’t you know it, this one’s called Sebastien too. Taking over the mantle from unbeatable Frenchman Sebastien Loeb is his fellow countryman Sebastien Ogier, driving for VW rather than Loeb’s dominating Citroen World Rally Team. Loeb chose to compete in ‘selected events’ in 2013, opting to race in the Monte Carlo, Sweden and Argentina and France events.

Toyota overhauls engine plans

For years, Toyota Motor Corp. has put hybrids at the center of its powertrain-technology strategy, all but oblivious to the rapid fuel-economy advancements rivals have made in the humble gasoline engine. Meanwhile, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai, Volkswagen and others have turned to gasoline direct fuel injection and turbochargers.

Audi Q1 sub-compact SUV in 2016

The new Audi Q1 will look like a smaller Q3 (pictured) There was a time when saloon cars ruled the car sales charts, but they eventually went out of fashion to be replaced by the more practical hatchback. But, despite the demonising of the SUV by ‘green’ groups, compact SUVs/Crossovbers have become the favourite flavour for car buyers as they seek something practical and with the promise of a bit of go anywhere credentials (even if they are cosmetic rather than mechanical). So it’s no surprise to see cars like the Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur starting to grab sales from small hatches.